‘Awkward Moment’ battles ‘Ride Along.’ Henry Waxman retiring.

After the coffee. Before making my Super Bowl pick.

The Skinny: I have not decided who to root for in Sunday’s Super Bowl. It will literally be a game day decision. Send me who you think I should cheer on. Friday’s roundup includes the weekend box office preview as well as stories on Rep. Henry Waxman’s retirement, the upcoming Writers Guild contract talks and the debate over the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences decision to strip a song of its Oscar nomination.

Daily Dose: Do you believe in reliving miracles? If so, you’ll want to get to the Paley Center in New York and Beverly Hills to check out its new Olympics exhibit, which features coverage of the Games from 1960 to 2012. The package features more than 1,300 hours of coverage as it was seen on television here, including in many cases the original commercials. That alone might make it worthwhile.

A non-awkward moment. Box office forecasts have the romantic (or is it misogynistic?) comedy “That Awkward Moment� finishing first during Super Bowl weekend. Starring Zac Efron, “That Awkward Moment� is projected to take in $12 million. I now know my viewing habits are completely out of sync with young America as I have not seen one TV ad for this film. Also opening is the adult drama “Labor Day� from director Jason Reitman, which is not likely to crack $10 million. I’ve seen ads for that movie. I may be wrong, but I predict “Ride Along� will manage to stay on top. Weekend previews from the Los Angeles Times and Hollywood Reporter.

CRITICS’ PICKS: What to watch, where to go, what to eat

Wrong note? Did the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences overreact when it revoked the Oscar nomination for the song� Alone Yet Not Alone� for lobbying academy members? That seemed to be the buzz around town after the academy’s unprecedented action. More on the controversy from the Los Angeles Times and Variety.

Now I can record more shows I’ll never watch. Time Warner Cable said it will start substantially upgrading its cable systems in Los Angeles and New York. Besides faster broadband, Time Warner Cable said it will also offer better DVRs that can record six channels at once. The moves come as Time Warner endured another quarter of video subscriber losses and is resisting a takeover attempt from Charter Communications. Coverage from Reuters and Los Angeles Times.

Tough talks coming. On Monday, the Writers Guild of America will begin negotiating with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers for a new contract. While a strike seems unlikely, there will be some heated talks over whether rates for cable programming need to be increased and fights over, of course, health coverage and pension plans. Previews from the Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times.

End of an era. Democratic Congressman Henry Waxman, who has represented the Westside of Los Angeles for four decades, is retiring. Waxman has been unafraid to take on big industries including tobacco and media. More on Waxman from the Los Angeles Times and Broadcasting & Cable.

Inside the Los Angeles Times: Betsy Sharkey on “That Awkward Moment.� The National Football League is launching a new digital channel that fans can program.

Follow me on Twitter. I don’t have wardrobe malfunctions. @JBFlint.